After struggling to find something last-minute to wear to a dressy event this fall, I ordered both the Papell lace dress and the Tadashi Shoji awhile back and am just getting around to pics. I ordered the TS in the navy but they sent the black labelled as navy! So I have that to think about, too.

#1 is the Papell and I'll say up front it has to go back because the skirt portion rides up and stays up. Meaning, of course, that it's a bit too fitted and the fabric a bit clingy through the hip. I'm bummed, because even though it's a little shorter than I'd hoped, it otherwise fits well for a sheath, for me and to some extent might be more versatile than #2 below, though of course not a work dress. I'd hoped the riding up was minor, and it's not too bad from sit to stand, but if I raise up my arms, whoops, no skirt.

#2 is the TS. I quake to show it after your modeling of it, Angie! I think it looks very dressy and that 's part of the problem--will it sit in my closet and come out once a year, will it be too memorable to repeat, and for how many years could that work? It may be for my imaginary lifestyle, which includes the occasional cocktail/formal event, and of course weddings and such are unpredictable times of year and not always so dressy, so it's hard for me to string together a series of dress events in any one year.
The second issue is, umm, roomy darts again. It does not fit as it does on Angie! It isn't as obvious as in some dresses because of the lace pattern and also the softness of the fabric, but I am guessing it would need to be taken in at side seams a bit, if that were possible. (The belt is not fitted enough but could be fixed or other belt sub'd).

The 3rd thing is, I wanted to try the navy as it looked more pinky+ navy but here I am in black. I could order ( if still available) to see if somehow it "read" differently--perhaps less wintry? but of course the fit and dressy issues will be the same. OTOH, I will have more access to black shoes and black toppers, and so that may look more intentional than wearing the same, with navy, and hoping I look like sophistocated neutral-mixer.

Anyway, comments are appreciated, re the dress itself, fit and so on, vs. how realistic to be.

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